Sami Zayn Recaptures WWE United States Title On WWE Smackdown

Sami Zayn is a champion again, winning the WWE United States Title on this week’s episode of WWE Smackdown. Zayn answered Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge for the championship on Friday’s episode of the Blue Brand show. Trick Williams was at ringside for the match, which went a little over 16 minutes.

The final moments of the match saw Zayn get a near fall after hitting a Blue Thunder bomb. Williams slid the title belt into the ring and Zayn picked it up, handing it to the refere. As the ref was getting the title out of the ring, Hayes pushed Zayn into Williams who was on the apron. Williams swung, but nailed Hayes. Zayn then hit a Helluva Kick in order to get the pinfall victory and lay claim to the title.

You can see highlights from the match below. After the match, Nick Aldis told Zayn that he will defend the title against Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42.

The victory marks Zayn’s second reign and ends Hayes’ run at 92 days. Hayes won the title from Ilja Dragunov on the December 19th, 2025 episode of WWE Smackdown. Zayn previously held the title for 48 days from August to October of 2025 and lost it to Dragunov.

How did @SamiZayn kick out of that?! 😨@Carmelo_WWE pic.twitter.com/JTUjmVUrFW

— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2026

Congratulations to the NEW United States Champion!! 🏆

Things are looking up for @SamiZayn! pic.twitter.com/E86KlR2cpp

— WWE (@WWE) March 28, 2026